diff --git a/xbps-src b/xbps-src
index 9da59faa85..c3c7a0f754 100755
--- a/xbps-src
+++ b/xbps-src
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ create_temporary_masterdir() {
     local tmpmdir=$(mktemp -d -q -p $XBPS_DISTDIR masterdir.XXXXXXXXX || exit 1)
 
     echo "=> Creating a temporary masterdir at $tmpmdir, please wait..."
-    cp -al $XBPS_MASTERDIR/* $tmpmdir/
+    cp -a $XBPS_MASTERDIR/* $tmpmdir/
     if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
         echo "ERROR: failed to setup temporary masterdir $tmpmdir!"
         exit 1